<section begin=summary/>{{Translation|'''Isobu'''|磯撫|Isobu}}, more commonly known as the {{translation|'''Three-Tails'''|三尾|Sanbi}}, is a tailed beast that was formerly sealed in [[Yagura]] of [[Kirigakure]],after being sealed in [[RinNohara]] as part of [[Kirigakure]]'s plan to attack [[Konohagakure]]. It hasbeen captured by [[Deidara]] and [[Tobi]], then sealed by [[Akatsuki]].It was later resealed into a [[Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation|reincarnated]] Yagura during the [[Fourth Shinobi World War]].<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 565, page 1</ref><section end=summary/>

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{{Translation|'''Isobu'''|磯撫|Isobu}}, more commonly known as the {{translation|'''Three-Tails'''|三尾|Sanbi}}, is one of thenine [[tailedbeasts]]. It waslast sealed within [[Yagura]] of [[Kirigakure]].

== Background ==

== Background ==

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[[File:Young Biju.png|thumb|left|The young tailed beasts with the Sage of the Six Paths.]]

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[[File:Young Bijuu and Hagoromo.png|thumb|left|The young tailed beasts with Hagoromo.]]

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Isobu first came into being in the waning days of the [[Sage of the SixPaths]], who used his [[Creation of All Things]] ability to separate the [[Ten-Tails]]' chakra fromitsbody and divideitintonineseparateconstructsthatwouldcome to beknownas [[tailed beasts]]inordertoensurethatitwouldneverresurfaceafterhisdeath.<ref>''Naruto''chapter467,pages15-16</ref><ref>''Naruto''chapter510,pages11-12</ref>Sometimeafterbeingcreated,theSagesatdownwithalltheyoungtailedbeastsandtoldthemthattheywouldalwaysbetogether,even when separated, andthatonedaytheywouldbecomeoneentityagainwithdifferentnamesandformsthantheydid.Then,whenthetimecame,theywouldknowwhattruepoweris.<ref name="ch572">''Naruto''chapter 572, pages 10-11</ref>

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Isobu and the tailed beasts first came into being in the waning days of [[HagoromoŌtsutsuki]], who used his [[Creation of All Things]] ability to divide the [[Ten-Tails]]' chakra intonineseparate bodies and givingeachaname.Sometimeafterbeing created, the Sageexplained to theyoung tailed beasts thatalinkexistedbetweenthemdespitetheirseparation.Healsoforetoldofadaywhentheywouldbebroughttogetheragain-thoughnotastheywere-andthatatthattimesomeonewouldemergetoshowthemwhattruepoweris.<ref>Chapter467, pages15-16</ref><refname="ch572">Chapter572,pages10-11</ref>AfterHagoromo'sdeath,thetailedbeastsdriftedapart,apparentlydueto[[Kurama]]'sbeliefthattheirnumberoftailswasanindicationoftheirstrength.<ref name="ch567">Chapter567, page 10</ref>

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At some point in the past, Isobu, who was in the possession of Kirigakure, was sealed within a kidnapped [[Rin Nohara]]of [[Konohagakure]]. They plotted for Rin to be taken back to her village as a [[wikipedia:Trojan Horse|Trojan horse]], releasing the tailed beast to wreak havoc in Konoha. This failed, however, as Rin was fully aware of their schemes and opted to [[Lightning Cutter|kill]] herself at hands of [[Kakashi]] before their objectives could come to fruition.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 629, pages 14-16</ref> Eventually, Isobu was revived and sealed within its next jinchūriki — [[Yagura]], the Fourth [[Mizukage]].<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 507, page 15</ref> However when Akatsuki went after it, the turtle was in the wild; the story behind how it came to be like this is still unknown.

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[[File:Rin andIsobu.png|thumb|Rin as Isobu's jinchūriki.]]

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At some point in the past, Isobu, who was in the possession of Kirigakure, was sealed within the body of a kidnapped [[Rin Nohara]] of [[Konohagakure]]. They plotted for Rin to be taken back to her village as a [[Wikipedia:Trojan Horse|Trojan horse]], releasing the tailed beast to wreak havoc in Konoha. This failed, however, as Rin was fully aware of their schemes and opted to [[Lightning Cutter|kill]] herself at hands of her friend and fellow team-mate, [[Kakashi Hatake]] before their objectives could come to fruition.<ref name="ch629">Chapter 629, pages 14-16</ref> Eventually, Isobu was revived and sealed within its next jinchūriki — [[Yagura]], the Fourth [[Mizukage]], who managed to gain [[Tailed Beast Control|complete control]] and harmony with it.<ref>Chapter 507, page 15</ref> However, when Akatsuki went after it, the beast was in the wild; the story behind how it came to be like this is still unknown.

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In the anime, [[Tsunade]] states that Isobu'sdisappearance happened after the [[Third Shinobi World War]].<ref>''Naruto: Shippūden'' episode 100</ref>

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In the anime, [[Tsunade]] states that Isobu disappeared after the [[Third Shinobi World War]].<ref>''Naruto: Shippūden'' episode 100</ref>

== Personality ==

== Personality ==

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Isobu speaks in a shy manner, referring to itself as {{translation|'boku'|ボク}} which is usually used by young boys.

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Isobu speaks in a timid manner, referring to itself as {{translation|"boku"|ボク}} which is usually used by young boys.

== Appearance ==

== Appearance ==

[[File:Young Isobu.png|thumb|left|A young Isobu.]]

[[File:Young Isobu.png|thumb|left|A young Isobu.]]

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Isobu primarily resembles a large turtle, but with a crab-like shell, and three shrimp-like tails. Under its shell, it has red, muscle-like tissue. It has a pair of human-like arms and hands, but no hind-legs. Its lower jaw is rather big and has teeth-like horns, together with its big forehead, which also has horns, it somewhat resembles a mouth with big teeth, making it look like the rest of the face is inside the mouth. Its eyes are dark and have red pupils. In the anime, the eyes are red with yellow pupils. Its right eye is constantly closed, indicating some sort of injury, and because of this, it is particularly vulnerable to attacks directed at its right eye. During the last remaining days of the Sage of the Six Paths, Isobu was much smaller thanitcurrentlyis but was still many times larger than the Sage.<ref name="ch572"/>

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Isobu primarily resembles a large turtle, but with a crab-like shell, spikes all over its body, and three shrimp-like tails. Under its shell, it has red, muscle-like tissue. It has a pair of human-like arms and hands, but no hind-legs. Its lower jaw is rather big and has teeth-like horns, together with its big forehead, which also has horns, it somewhat resembles a mouth with big teeth, making it look like the rest of the face is inside the mouth. Its eyes are red and have crimson pupils. In the anime, the eyes are red with yellow pupils. Its right eye is constantly closed, indicating some sort of injury, and because of this, it is particularly vulnerable to attacks directed at its right eye. During the last remaining days of the Sage of the Six Paths, Isobu was essentially much the same in appearance, albeit smaller insizewithshorter spikes around its body, but was still many times larger than the Sage.<ref name="ch572"/>

As a [[tailed beast]], Isobu possesses an enormous amount of [[chakra]] and can perform the [[Tailed Beast Ball]]. It also has the ability to [[Coral Palm|create coral]], and swim at very high speeds. Tobi suggested that [[Kisame]] would have been a better choice for capturing the turtle, givenitsaffinity for water.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 317, pages 1-4</ref> Isobu has also been shown to be able to roll into a ball and attack its opponents, making full use of its shell and its many protrusions in a manner similar to the Akimichi clan's [[SpikedHumanBullet Tank]].<ref>''Naruto''chapter571,page12</ref>Its tough skin and shell also provides additional defence for Isobu, allowing it to withstand nearly all forms of attack. In the anime, it was revealed that its only known physical weakness it possessed was its eye, as hard as its skin and armoured shell are, it cannot harden its eyes and so seems to keep one closed at alltimes.

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As a [[tailed beast]], Isobu possesses an enormous amount of [[chakra]] that it can [[Chakra Transfer Technique|transfer]] to others and can create the [[Tailed Beast Ball]]. It also has the ability to [[Coral Palm|create coral]] and swim at very high speeds. In the anime, itcouldproduce a [[IllusionaryMist|hallucinogenicmist]] thatexploitedthevictim'sinsecurities and forced the victim to facethem.

In the anime, Isobu's abilities were greatly elaborated upon: it could create [[TailedBeast Shockwave|shockwaves]] to repel attacks and produce a large tidal wave that spread away from it in all directions; it could strike with any of its three spiked tails to break through most defences. With these abilities, it overwhelmed [[Guren]]'s [[Crystal Release]] several times over the course of their battle. Of Isobu'smorespecialised abilities, it could produce a hallucinogenic mist that exploited the victim's insecurities and forced the victim to face them. It could also shoot powerful chakra-infused [[Three-Tails Water Ball|water balls]]. When it ate something, thousands of [[Three-Tails Mini Clone|miniature versions of itself]] would attack what it had eaten within its stomach, presumably to speed up the digestion process. In addition to its anime appearance, the beast was shown capable of materialising an entrance to a separate dimension in which it could hide its presence, until it was ready to return.

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[[File:ShellSpear1.png|thumb|left|Isobu rolledinto a ball.]]

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Isobu can [[Shadow Stroke|roll into a ball]] to [[Leaping Bullet Shell Tower|move about quickly]] and attack its opponents, making full use of the protrusions on its shell in a manner similar to the [[Akimichi Clan|Akimichi clan]]'s [[Spiked Human Bullet Tank]].<ref>Chapter 571, page 12</ref> Isobu's tough skin and shell also grant it additional defence, allowing it to withstand nearly all forms of attack. It can also use any of its three spiked tails to strike its opponents and break through most defences. In the anime, Isobu's only known physical weakness is its eye; as tough as its skin and shell are, it cannot harden its eyes and thus seems to keep one closed at all times.

In the anime, Isobu's abilities were greatly elaborated upon. It could create [[Tailed Beast Shockwave|shockwaves]] to repel attacks and produce large tidal waves around it, enabling it to overwhelm [[Guren]]'s [[Crystal Release]] several times over the course of their battle. When Isobu ate something, thousands of [[Three-Tails Mini Clone|miniature versions of itself]] would attack what was eaten within its stomach, presumably to speed up the digestion process. It was also shown capable of materialising an entrance to a separate dimension in which it could hide its presence, until it was ready to return to wherever it chooses.<ref>''Naruto: Shippūden'' episode 108</ref>

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==== Nature Transformation ====

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As a turtle, Isobu has an affinity for [[Water Release]].<ref>Chapter 317, pages 1-4</ref> In the anime, it has shown to fire powerful [[Water Release: Great Water Mass Bullet|water blasts]] that are capable of destroying an entire cliff side.

== Part II ==

== Part II ==

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=== Three-TailsArc ===

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=== AkatsukiSuppression Mission ===

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{{Main|Three-Tails Arc}}

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In the manga, Tobi and Deidara confronted the beast around the same time [[Naruto Uzumaki]] had begun his [[Wind Release]] training, to which it responded by beginning to chase Tobi. With the Three-Tails distracted, Deidara moulded an explosive clay fish in an attempt to capture it. It was unclear if this marked the end of the battle, as the remainder of the battle went unseen. As the two towed the Three-Tails to the Akatsuki's lair after the battle, Tobi gloated at bringing the Three-Tails down with his special technique, but Deidara thought otherwise. It was later [[Sealing Technique: Phantom Dragons Nine Consuming Seals|sealed]] in the [[Demonic Statue of the Outer Path|sealing statue]].

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[[File:The dimension's entrance.PNG|thumb|The entrance to the dimension where the Three-Tails came from.]]

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=== Three-Tails' Appearance ===

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{{Main|Three-Tails' Appearance}}

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[[File:The dimension's entrance.PNG|thumb|left|The entrance to the dimension where the Three-Tails came from.]]

In the anime, [[Orochimaru]] instructed [[Kabuto Yakushi]] and [[Team Guren]] to take a young boy named [[Yūkimaru]] to a lake. After they arrived, Kabuto forced Yūkimaru to release all of his chakra, which caused the Three-Tails to begin to surface from the lake. With [[Guren]]'s help, the beast was completely revealed, and they attempted to capture it. Their attempts proved insufficient, however, and the beast created a large tidal wave to wash its attackers away.

In the anime, [[Orochimaru]] instructed [[Kabuto Yakushi]] and [[Team Guren]] to take a young boy named [[Yūkimaru]] to a lake. After they arrived, Kabuto forced Yūkimaru to release all of his chakra, which caused the Three-Tails to begin to surface from the lake. With [[Guren]]'s help, the beast was completely revealed, and they attempted to capture it. Their attempts proved insufficient, however, and the beast created a large tidal wave to wash its attackers away.

The tidal wave gained the attention of a nearby group of [[Konohagakure]] ninja, who tried to use [[Four-Corner Sealing Barrier]] to permanently trap the beast in its own dimension. Just as the sealing began to work, the Konoha ninja were interrupted by Guren, which prompted the beast to attack them all. Yūkimaru was able to calm the beast down temporarily, but, after he became tired, the Three-Tails turned its attention to him. Guren and [[Naruto Uzumaki]] came to his defence, but were swallowed in the process. With the help of their allies on the outside, they were able to escape, and the Konoha ninja tried once more to seal the beast.

The tidal wave gained the attention of a nearby group of [[Konohagakure]] ninja, who tried to use [[Four-Corner Sealing Barrier]] to permanently trap the beast in its own dimension. Just as the sealing began to work, the Konoha ninja were interrupted by Guren, which prompted the beast to attack them all. Yūkimaru was able to calm the beast down temporarily, but, after he became tired, the Three-Tails turned its attention to him. Guren and [[Naruto Uzumaki]] came to his defence, but were swallowed in the process. With the help of their allies on the outside, they were able to escape, and the Konoha ninja tried once more to seal the beast.

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Just when the sealing was almost complete, Yūkimaru, angered by the apparent death of Guren, empowered the beast to break free of its restraints. The Three-Tails went on a rampage, attacking everyone nearby and crushing [[Nurari]], [[Kigiri]], and [[Kihō]]. Its attempts to attack Yūkimaru, however, had no effect. It was only through the use of the [[Wind Release: ToadOilFlame Bullet]] that the beast was driven away. The sealing attempt was left to [[ANBU]] members, and the remaining Konoha ninja returned home. [[Deidara]] and [[Tobi]] of [[Akatsuki]] soon found these ANBU members and disposed of them.

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[[File:IsobucapturedbyAkatsuki.png|thumb|Akatsukiprepares to seal the Three-Tails.]]

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Just when the sealing was almost complete, Yūkimaru, angered by the apparent death of Guren, empowered the beast to break free of its restraints. The Three-Tails went on a rampage, attacking everyone nearby and crushing [[Nurari]], [[Kigiri]], and [[Kihō]]. Its attempts to attack Yūkimaru, however, had no effect. It was only through the use of the [[Wind Release: Toad Oil Flame Bullet]] that the beast was driven away. The sealing attempt was left to [[Anbu]] members, and the remaining Konoha ninja returned home. [[Deidara]] and [[Tobi]] of [[Akatsuki]] soon found these Anbu members and disposed of them.

The beast's capture took place much earlier in the manga (at the start of the [[HidanandKakuzu Arc]]), but played out in much the same way as in the anime. TobiandDeidaraconfrontedthebeast,to which it responded by beginning to chase Tobi. With the Three-Tails distracted, Deidara moulded an explosive clay fish in an attempt to capture it. It was unclear if this marked the end of the battle, as the remainder of the battle went unseen. As the two towed the Three-Tails to the Akatsuki's lair after the battle, Tobi gloated at bringing the Three-Tails down with his special technique, but Deidara thought otherwise. It was later [[Sealing Technique: Phantom Dragons Nine Consuming Seals|sealed]] in the [[Demonic Statue of the Outer Path|sealing statue]].

After [[Son Gokū]] is resealed into the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, Tobi, who is intent on going all-out from this point on, forces Yagura to fully transform into the Three-Tails.<ref>Chapter 570, pages 8-9</ref> Preparing to attack the shinobi, the Three-Tails along with the other four beasts create [[Tailed Beast Ball]]s. These attacks however, are deflected by [[Naruto]] and they are [[Tailed Beast Shockwave|rebuffed]] by a now fully-transformed Naruto. Wasting no time in their attacks, the Three-Tails evades Kurama's attack and then, rolling into a ball, attempts to attack the beast while [[Saiken]] had incapacitated it. It is however stopped by [[Gyūki]]. Freeing itself from the beast's grasp, it and the other opposing beasts prepare a collaborative Tailed Beast Ball which is met by one from Naruto and Kurama.

[[File:Bijufulltransformation.png|thumb|Theremainingjinchūrikitransform into theirtailedbeasts.]]

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As Naruto enters a deeper plane of the tailed beasts' consciousness, Isobu (who remembers [[Three-Tails'Appearance|meeting]] him in the anime) introduces itself to the youngman. Later,asthe beast is freed from the [[chakra receiver]] it affirms [[Kurama]]'s belief that Naruto was the person the [[Sage of the Six Paths]] had spoken about so long ago before being resealed into the[[DemonicStatue of the Outer Path]].

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After [[Son Gokū]] is resealed into the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, Tobi, who is intent on going all-out from this point on, forces Yagura to fully transform into the Three-Tails.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 570, pages 8-9</ref>

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Preparingtoattack the shinobi, the Three-Tails along with the other four beasts create [[Tailed Beast Ball]]s. These attacks however, are deflected by [[Naruto]] and they are [[Tailed Beast Shockwave|rebuffed]] by a now fully-transformed Naruto. Wasting no time in their attacks, the Three-Tails evades Kurama's attack and then, rolling into a ball, attempts to attack the beast while [[Saiken]] had incapacitated it. It is however stopped by [[Gyūki]]. Freeing itself from the beast's grasp, it and the other opposing beasts prepare a collaborative Tailed Beast Ball which is met by one from NarutoandKurama.

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===Birthof the Ten-Tails' Jinchūriki===

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[[File:Biju released.png|thumb|left|Isobu is released alongside the other tailed beasts.]]

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Isobu appeared alongside the other tailed beasts with the exception of Gyūki and [[Shukaku]] when the [[Ten-Tails]] looked down at Naruto. The image of the tailed beasts, along with a silhouette of the Sage of the Six Paths, drove the Ten-Tails to a fit as it evolved further. Due to the combined teamwork of the [[Allied Shinobi Forces]], Isobu, alongside the other imprisoned tailed beasts, was later pulled out of Obito and thus freed.

As Naruto enters a deeperplainof the tailed beasts'consciousness,Isobu(whoremembers[[Three-TailsArc|meeting]]himin the anime)introducesitself to theyoungman. Later, as the beastisfreed from the [[chakrareceiver]] itaffirms [[Kurama]]'sbeliefthatNarutowasthepersonthe[[Sageof the SixPaths]]hadspokenaboutsolongagobeforebeing resealed into the [[Demonic Statue of the OuterPath]].

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As Naruto in [[Tailed Beast Mode]] pinned Madara down with a tail,Isobuand the other tailed beasts joinedinanddidthesametoincrease the damage,butthe Uchiha survived their attacks and retreated to asafedistance. After he received his own right Rinnegan eye from a White Zetsu clone, Madara quickly summoned the DemonicStatueof the Outer Path from Obito's body, and used the Rinnegan to [[Limbo:Border Jail|repel]] thetailed beasts. With the tailed beasts stunned, Madara then proceeded to [[Demonic Statue Chains|chain]] themupandpreparedtosealthembackinto the statue.Ultimately,Isobu,alongwiththeothertailedbeasts,are all resealed within the Demonic Statue.Later, the chakraIsobu transferred to Naruto earlier manifested within Naruto's subconscious along with the other tailed beasts to speak with the young ninja and the spirit of [[Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki]]. There, they voiced their shared belief that Naruto was the child of prophecy.

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=== Kaguya Ōtsutsuki Strikes ===

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[[File:Ten-Tails sealing.png|thumb|left|The tailed beasts being freed from the Ten-Tails.]]

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Ultimately, [[Kaguya Ōtsutsuki]] who had taken control of Madara was defeated by [[Naruto Uzumaki]] and [[Sasuke Uchiha]] and sealed using the [[Six Paths — Chibaku Tensei]] technique. The tailed beasts were all ejected from the statue and then summoned back to the real world by Hagoromo and the previous Kage. After the past Kage return to the afterlife, plans for the future were discussed, to which the tailed beasts expressed their joy at finally being free. Sasuke, however, made his own intentions known: removing as many people as possible who could get in the way of his plans of leading the world through a revolution to do away with current shinobi systems, including killing all the current Kage and tailed beasts. Just as Sasuke swiftly [[Genjutsu: Rinnegan|subdued]] the tailed beasts with his Rinnegan and sealed them within his [[Chibaku Tensei]], Naruto reassured the tailed beasts that he would save them once again. After the battle when Sasuke declared Naruto the victor, the two dispelled the Infinite Tsukuyomi and Sasuke released Isobu along with the other tailed beasts from their prisons.

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== VideoGames ==

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== InOther Media ==

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AlthoughIsobuitselfis not playable, Yagura takes on its form as his awakening in ''[[Naruto Shippūden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3]]''. Isobu also appears as a boss in ''[[Naruto Shippūden: Ninja Destiny 3]]''.

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===VideoGames===

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Although Isobu itself is not playable, Yagura takes on its form as his awakening in ''[[Naruto Shippūden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3]]'' and ''[[Naruto Shippūden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Revolution]]''. Isobu also appears as a boss in ''[[Naruto Shippūden: Ninja Destiny 3]]''.

== Trivia ==

== Trivia ==

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* {{Translation|'Isobu'|磯撫|}} literally means 'beach stroker', and is also an adaptation of the name of the {{translation|[[wikipedia:Isonade|Isonade]]|磯撫で}}.

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* {{Translation|'Isobu'|磯撫|}} literally means 'beach stroker', and is also an adaptation of the name of the sea [[wikipedia:Yōkai|yōkai]] {{translation|[[wikipedia:Isonade|Isonade]]|磯撫で}}. The Isonade had a hooked tail, similar to Yagura's staff.

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* Turtles are often used as the base design for sea monsters in Japanese folklore. Isobu's design in particular was conceived as a result of the series creator, [[Masashi Kishimoto]]'s, interest in monsters, [[wikipedia:yōkai|yōkai]], and [[wikipedia:kaijū|kaijū]], mixing together various elements of those types of creatures to create a monster with a turtle's body and a shrimp's tail with a crab-looking figure.

* Since Rin died without having Isobu extracted, Isobu is the first known tailed beast to have "died" and revived.

* Since Rin died without having Isobu extracted, Isobu is the first known tailed beast to have "died" and revived.

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* In the [[Three-Tails' Appearance]], Isobu's capture took place much later than in the manga, but played out in much the same way.

Contents

Isobu and the tailed beasts first came into being in the waning days of Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki, who used his Creation of All Things ability to divide the Ten-Tails' chakra into nine separate bodies and giving each a name. Some time after being created, the Sage explained to the young tailed beasts that a link existed between them despite their separation. He also foretold of a day when they would be brought together again - though not as they were - and that at that time someone would emerge to show them what true power is.[3][4] After Hagoromo's death, the tailed beasts drifted apart, apparently due to Kurama's belief that their number of tails was an indication of their strength.[5]

Rin as Isobu's jinchūriki.

At some point in the past, Isobu, who was in the possession of Kirigakure, was sealed within the body of a kidnapped Rin Nohara of Konohagakure. They plotted for Rin to be taken back to her village as a Trojan horse, releasing the tailed beast to wreak havoc in Konoha. This failed, however, as Rin was fully aware of their schemes and opted to kill herself at hands of her friend and fellow team-mate, Kakashi Hatake before their objectives could come to fruition.[6] Eventually, Isobu was revived and sealed within its next jinchūriki — Yagura, the Fourth Mizukage, who managed to gain complete control and harmony with it.[7] However, when Akatsuki went after it, the beast was in the wild; the story behind how it came to be like this is still unknown.

Isobu primarily resembles a large turtle, but with a crab-like shell, spikes all over its body, and three shrimp-like tails. Under its shell, it has red, muscle-like tissue. It has a pair of human-like arms and hands, but no hind-legs. Its lower jaw is rather big and has teeth-like horns, together with its big forehead, which also has horns, it somewhat resembles a mouth with big teeth, making it look like the rest of the face is inside the mouth. Its eyes are red and have crimson pupils. In the anime, the eyes are red with yellow pupils. Its right eye is constantly closed, indicating some sort of injury, and because of this, it is particularly vulnerable to attacks directed at its right eye. During the last remaining days of the Sage of the Six Paths, Isobu was essentially much the same in appearance, albeit smaller in size with shorter spikes around its body, but was still many times larger than the Sage.[4]

Isobu can roll into a ball to move about quickly and attack its opponents, making full use of the protrusions on its shell in a manner similar to the Akimichi clan's Spiked Human Bullet Tank.[9] Isobu's tough skin and shell also grant it additional defence, allowing it to withstand nearly all forms of attack. It can also use any of its three spiked tails to strike its opponents and break through most defences. In the anime, Isobu's only known physical weakness is its eye; as tough as its skin and shell are, it cannot harden its eyes and thus seems to keep one closed at all times.

In the anime, Isobu's abilities were greatly elaborated upon. It could create shockwaves to repel attacks and produce large tidal waves around it, enabling it to overwhelm Guren's Crystal Release several times over the course of their battle. When Isobu ate something, thousands of miniature versions of itself would attack what was eaten within its stomach, presumably to speed up the digestion process. It was also shown capable of materialising an entrance to a separate dimension in which it could hide its presence, until it was ready to return to wherever it chooses.[10]

In the manga, Tobi and Deidara confronted the beast around the same time Naruto Uzumaki had begun his Wind Release training, to which it responded by beginning to chase Tobi. With the Three-Tails distracted, Deidara moulded an explosive clay fish in an attempt to capture it. It was unclear if this marked the end of the battle, as the remainder of the battle went unseen. As the two towed the Three-Tails to the Akatsuki's lair after the battle, Tobi gloated at bringing the Three-Tails down with his special technique, but Deidara thought otherwise. It was later sealed in the sealing statue.

In the anime, Orochimaru instructed Kabuto Yakushi and Team Guren to take a young boy named Yūkimaru to a lake. After they arrived, Kabuto forced Yūkimaru to release all of his chakra, which caused the Three-Tails to begin to surface from the lake. With Guren's help, the beast was completely revealed, and they attempted to capture it. Their attempts proved insufficient, however, and the beast created a large tidal wave to wash its attackers away.

The tidal wave gained the attention of a nearby group of Konohagakure ninja, who tried to use Four-Corner Sealing Barrier to permanently trap the beast in its own dimension. Just as the sealing began to work, the Konoha ninja were interrupted by Guren, which prompted the beast to attack them all. Yūkimaru was able to calm the beast down temporarily, but, after he became tired, the Three-Tails turned its attention to him. Guren and Naruto Uzumaki came to his defence, but were swallowed in the process. With the help of their allies on the outside, they were able to escape, and the Konoha ninja tried once more to seal the beast.

Akatsuki prepares to seal the Three-Tails.

Just when the sealing was almost complete, Yūkimaru, angered by the apparent death of Guren, empowered the beast to break free of its restraints. The Three-Tails went on a rampage, attacking everyone nearby and crushing Nurari, Kigiri, and Kihō. Its attempts to attack Yūkimaru, however, had no effect. It was only through the use of the Wind Release: Toad Oil Flame Bullet that the beast was driven away. The sealing attempt was left to Anbu members, and the remaining Konoha ninja returned home. Deidara and Tobi of Akatsuki soon found these Anbu members and disposed of them.

After Son Gokū is resealed into the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, Tobi, who is intent on going all-out from this point on, forces Yagura to fully transform into the Three-Tails.[12] Preparing to attack the shinobi, the Three-Tails along with the other four beasts create Tailed Beast Balls. These attacks however, are deflected by Naruto and they are rebuffed by a now fully-transformed Naruto. Wasting no time in their attacks, the Three-Tails evades Kurama's attack and then, rolling into a ball, attempts to attack the beast while Saiken had incapacitated it. It is however stopped by Gyūki. Freeing itself from the beast's grasp, it and the other opposing beasts prepare a collaborative Tailed Beast Ball which is met by one from Naruto and Kurama.

Isobu, alongside the other jinchūriki and tailed beasts, encounters Naruto.

Isobu appeared alongside the other tailed beasts with the exception of Gyūki and Shukaku when the Ten-Tails looked down at Naruto. The image of the tailed beasts, along with a silhouette of the Sage of the Six Paths, drove the Ten-Tails to a fit as it evolved further. Due to the combined teamwork of the Allied Shinobi Forces, Isobu, alongside the other imprisoned tailed beasts, was later pulled out of Obito and thus freed.

The tailed beasts reunite with Hagoromo and Naruto.

As Naruto in Tailed Beast Mode pinned Madara down with a tail, Isobu and the other tailed beasts joined in and did the same to increase the damage, but the Uchiha survived their attacks and retreated to a safe distance. After he received his own right Rinnegan eye from a White Zetsu clone, Madara quickly summoned the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path from Obito's body, and used the Rinnegan to repel the tailed beasts. With the tailed beasts stunned, Madara then proceeded to chain them up and prepared to seal them back into the statue. Ultimately, Isobu, along with the other tailed beasts, are all resealed within the Demonic Statue. Later, the chakra Isobu transferred to Naruto earlier manifested within Naruto's subconscious along with the other tailed beasts to speak with the young ninja and the spirit of Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki. There, they voiced their shared belief that Naruto was the child of prophecy.

Ultimately, Kaguya Ōtsutsuki who had taken control of Madara was defeated by Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha and sealed using the Six Paths — Chibaku Tensei technique. The tailed beasts were all ejected from the statue and then summoned back to the real world by Hagoromo and the previous Kage. After the past Kage return to the afterlife, plans for the future were discussed, to which the tailed beasts expressed their joy at finally being free. Sasuke, however, made his own intentions known: removing as many people as possible who could get in the way of his plans of leading the world through a revolution to do away with current shinobi systems, including killing all the current Kage and tailed beasts. Just as Sasuke swiftly subdued the tailed beasts with his Rinnegan and sealed them within his Chibaku Tensei, Naruto reassured the tailed beasts that he would save them once again. After the battle when Sasuke declared Naruto the victor, the two dispelled the Infinite Tsukuyomi and Sasuke released Isobu along with the other tailed beasts from their prisons.